Wichita eagle., 1887-11-26
IN A HAREM.

In 1913, while attache Of the embassy at
Constantinople, was acting private secre-
tarY of the great "Ilchee," LORD Stratford de
Radcliffe, then Sir Strasford Canning.
The British consul at - had laid before
the ambassador complaints against the pacha
of The district where be resided, and the lat
ter had also brought under the notice Of the
porte grievances of a serious character, al
legged to have been suffered from the proceed
ings of the consul Attempts were made
both by the porte and the ambassador to
bring about a settlement Of the differences,
without success. British subjects, Ionians
and Turks whose interests were affected by
the state of affairs, appealed to the embassy
and to the porte, urging that steps should be
taken to secure the ends Of justice.
Sir Stratford Canning proposed TO the porte
that an officer of the embassy should be sent
to - to make an inquiry into the conduct
of the two functionaries, and that he should
be empowered both by the porte and the am
bassador to bring about settlement Of these
differences, which had been constant source
Of vexatious correspondence. Sir Stratford
selected me for this duty, and delivered to
me letters from, the porte to the pacha, and
from himself TO the consul, acquainting them
respectively that l had been authorized to
inquire into the various questions at issue,
and to endeavor TO bring about settlement.
Both the consul and pacha on my arrival
offered me hospitality, which / declined,
under the peculiar circumstances in which
was placed by my mission
The day after my arrival the pacha sum-
moned divan of several local notablcs, who
wsre TO give evidence, and the consul was
also requested to attend. When | entered
the divan, being then youth OF about 25, l
was much shocked ct seeing the pacha, consul
and other Eotables with white and hoary
boards and venerable appearance, upon
whom had, as it were, to sit in Judgment.
After pipes and coffee, the hearing of the
various subjects in dispute commenced.
Though | refer to this scene, as il affects the
end of my tale, it is needless to relate what
passed, further than to mention that [ found
both pacLa and consul were in the wrong,
but that neither had acted in O manner TO re-
ouire any severe censure on the part Of the
porte or ambassador, and drew up a report
in that sense. On my return journey TO the
port having heard that game was plentiful,
gave my horse to the Grsek servant to lead,
and wandered over sbe country. | had good
sport, and the Greek frequently warned me
that unless we kept to the beaten path and
rode on quickly, we should not be able to
reach the port before dark
| continued, however, TO shoot, wandering
into thickets after game many miles distant
from the road, or rather track, until il be-
came so dark that l could 10 longer see She
birds rise. On rem ounting, l told the Greek
TO lead the way, but he declined; he knew
not where we were, nor even whet direction
to take. II was a bright clear night, ard st
q distance Of about two smiles | espied {. light;
thither | decided to direct our steps, and to
ask for sheiter for the night, or for a guide.
We arrived ct large building, with lattice
windows several feet from the ground sur
rounded by high wall irclosing what ap-
peared to be farm buildings, with a largo
double gate, where carts and cattle could
pass After knocking loudly an old Turk OPP
peared. l spoke Turkish fiuently at that time,
so l told him l was al English traveller and
had lost my way, and begged to have shelter
for the night anywhere in the farm yard a
feed for my horses and some bread and cof-
fee, if nothing else in the way of food was
procurabic, for myself and servant, for we
were very hungry.
The Turk replied that his master was -
Bey, who had formerly been in the service of
the porte; that he was q landed proprietor;
that as bis family dwelt with him no man
could be admitted into the house, but he
offered to ask the bey's permission to allow us
to pass the night in one of the cuthouses and
to put up our horses.
The gate was again closed, and after wait
ing few minutes Turkish gentleman,
dressed in a handsome fur pelisse and fez ap-
peared. After the usual salutations he said:
"Are you an Englishmanp Ireplied that
was, without making myself known as one Of
the secretaries Of the British embassy He
babe me welcome in hearty manner, and,
turning TO the old man who had Just
opened the gate, directed that my attendants
should DO lodged in a room in the farm build
ings, be given whatever he nigh. require,
and that the horses should be stalled and fed.
Then, taking me to the door Of the house,
and opening 1t with large key he stopped
on the threshold and said You are an Eng
lish gentleman and therefore a man of honor
/ am about to do that which no Mahometan
viii or ought to do. | admit you 20 my
harem among my family. have heard how
English gentlemen visit the house of friends
and live as men of honor with their families,
without restraint. l shall do the same for
have special reasons for my conduct, which
vii! relate when you have rested. Il is nay
earnest hope that you should feel as if you
were with one of your own countrymen: but
/ beg you to keep secret from every one your
visit TO my house, and never TO mention
whom you may see within It.
He then leu me up q narrow staircase into q
well lighted room, handsomely furnished with
beautiful carpeting, comfortable divans,
mirrors, Turkish tables, arms hung on the
wall, and q couch with pretty embroidered
cushions and silk quilt, which he said was 10
be my bed
Again and again he babe me welcome, add
ing, Il shall leave you TO repose; you must he
hungry. Supper is ordered. A pipe and
coffee will be brought TO you, order what you
please" Then as he withdrew be repeated
again in kind manner, AN English effsndi
is always o man of honor"
While inspecting the room and wondering
what all this meant, heard gentle step, and
tall, graceful figure Of a girl about L en-
tered She was dressed handsomely In a
Jacket used by Turkish ladies, with a bodice
open in front, ike unto the square dresses
now worn by English ladies of an evening
She had on yellow SILK "shRlvas,- or trousers,
fastened by a white muslin sash, the ends OF
which were PretEly embreidered and hung
outside the "shalvas" Her compsxion vas
olive, with very large dark eyes and long eye
lashss; her moss squaine and her mouth like
ring set in ruby lips, She looked grave and
sad, bus bushes sufIused her cheeks as she
bowed gracefully, and with sweet smile put
"chebook' into my mouth, and then re-
tired her hair WAS braided in treSses around
her head and adorned with coins. Two lo2g
braids Lung down her back. This vision of a
Turkish maiden seemed ike a dream, and
while rendering over the pretty figure thai